Urban Development Minister Vinaykumar Sorake has said that directions have been given to urban local bodies (ULBs) to legalise all illegal drinking water connections to ensure collection of water cess from residents.
ULBs have been told recover pending water cess to ensure their sustainability. ULBs have been directed to disconnect water connections if there was resistance on the part of residents to pay cess, Mr. Sorake told presspersons here on Thursday.
He said there was no proposal before the department to increase water cess in the near future. He said the officials of the department would attend a meeting convened by the centre to discuss establishment of smart cities in New Delhi on Friday.